Document Type

Date of Degree

Access Restrictions

Degree Name

Degree In

First Advisor

William Ming Liu

First Committee Member

Sam V Cochran

Second Committee Member

Megan Foley Nicpon

Third Committee Member

Mary Noonan

Fourth Committee Member

John Westefeld

Abstract

In the United States, over ninety percent of women take their husbands' last names when they marry; the remaining women keep, hyphenate, or alter their last name in some other way. Although many disciplines have examined this subject, counseling psychology has had little to say on the matter. This study investigates American women's naming decisions through the lens of the Social Cognitive Theory of Gender Development and Differentiation and seeks to shed light on its significance to counseling psychology. The qualitative methodology grounded theory is employed to examine the factors that contribute to naming choices as well as to better understand the psychological implications of such decisions. Findings suggest that naming decisions may impact identity, gender roles, partner relational concerns, family dynamics, empowerment, career issues, multicultural considerations, and power differentials, all of which are topics that are relevant for counseling psychologists. The discussion explores the relevance of this issue for women who are actively making, or have already made, a naming choice. Larger implications for the field of psychology are also considered.

Keywords

counseling psychology, identity, naming, women

Pages

ix, 177 pages

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 154-162).

Copyright

Copyright 2014 Barbara C. Sieck

Recommended Citation

Sieck, Barbara C.. "How do we show up in the world: the psychological implications of women's naming decisions." PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) thesis, University of Iowa, 2014. https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.f9j51wa7.